Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area

Show on map503-897-2406fish_bend@blm.gov
Northwest Oregon District Office, Attn: Recreation Operations, 1717 Fabry Rd SE
Salem, OR 97306

Overview

Old Miner's Meadow is a two-acre, fenced-in group use area, located in an open meadow surrounded by forests along the Quartzville Creek National Wild and Scenic River and upstream from the Green Peter Reservoir. It is available by reservation only.

The area is popular for gold panning, fishing, scenic touring and kayaking. Weekends tend to be busy, so campers should book early.

Summer weather is comfortable, but can be cool. Visitors should come prepared for lower temperatures at night.

Recreation

The creek is popular for gold panning and kayaking, while the reservoir offers great fishing, swimming, sailing and water skiing. Within a short drive along the creek, campers can find deep pools, waterfalls and swimming areas. Visitors can also drive the Quartzville National Back Country Byway, which meanders along the creek, two lakes and scenic mountain views. There are hiking trails in the nearby national forests.

Facilities

Maximum of 50 people per reservation. 

This facility consists of one large group area with no designated campsites. Site amenities include picnic tables, individual campfire rings, a group campfire ring and grill, trash collection, vault toilets and horseshoe pits.

The toilets for the site are available to campers on private land just outside the site fence boundary. Groups are required to bring their own drinking water and firewood.

Natural Features

The section of Quartzville Creek adjacent to the campground is registered as a National Wild and Scenic River for its recreation and resource opportunities. The nearby Green Peter Reservoir has emerald-colored waters, mountain views and plenty of space for water activities.

Though some areas of the surrounding forests have been logged, groves of old growth trees are a short drive away from the campground. This facility is in a meadow dotted with trees, and has both shaded and sunny sites. Though campers may not see them in the campground, elk frequent the area.

Nearby Attractions

Campers can visit the East Linn Museum in the town of Sweet Home to learn about the history of the area. The campground is also adjacent to the Willamette National Forest, which stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range in western Oregon.

Willamette National Forest

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (503) 375-5646.

Charges & Cancellations

Standard fees apply and are non-refundable.

Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information. 

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

  • Fire pit: all 1 sites
  • Group sites: all 1 sites
  • Largest party: 75 people

Fees

Campground fee of $100 per night up to 50 people. Each additional person is $2.00 per night. Additional service fees apply and are non-refundable.

Directions

From Sweet Home, Oregon go east on U.S. Highway 20. Approximately one mile out of town turn left on the Quartzville Access Road heading towards Green Peter Reservoir and Quartzville Creek. Old Miner's Meadow is located approximately 25 miles up the road on the right, about one mile past Yellowbottom Recreation Site.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

8 reviews
5 stars
4
4 stars
2
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1
1 stars
1
Shelly T
Loop:Old Miner's Meadow Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 5 months ago
There were 9 of us,we played horse shoes& many games, lots of picnic tables for fun activities. The river made it convenient for boiling water to wash the dishes.
Joe W
Loop:Old Miner's Meadow Group Site
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Fires were allowed everywhere up and down quartzville road just not on BLM property. Why camp without a fire? Loved the property. Always a good experience when outdoors. Especially a week at a time.
Patricia J
Loop:Old Miner's Meadow Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Beautiful!!
Gary W
Loop:Old Miner's Meadow Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
We always enjoy this place, it's big enough for all of our family and friends.
Jeffrey W
Loop:Old Miner's Meadow Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
VERY DISAPPOINTED. Just finished a 5 night stay. The road in is extremely hard on an RV. 25 miles off the highway from either direction on a FS road that was paved decades ago and hasn't seen much attention since. Very windy with lots of dips and rough spots. Extremely narrow if coming from US 22. Very little shade at the camp site. No area deep enough to swim and no beach area to lounge by the creek. Picnic table tops have chunks broken off the ends as do the seats. Some of the tops have been pulled off the main structure and are warped up so everything you set on the ends is tilted. Main (group) fire ring was FULL of ash and needed to be dug out. Top row of brick, is missing/gone and the remaining bricks are in disrepair (at least three bricks unattached). The pit toilets that are designated for this site are open for public use. The general public just parks outside the gate and walks in. Constant string of people in and out at all hours. One of these outsiders took all the toilet paper. You can't bring in your own firewood so you have to drive a mile up the road to the main Yellowbottom camp site to buy wood. The cost is now $20 for a small cart (double arm load). The wood was wet and very poor quality (moss and fungus growing on it). Large wood chips (big enough to roll your ankle) all over the main group gathering area. Looked like previous campers had foraged drift wood out of the creek and chopped it up with an ax. 4 people from our group spent 30 minutes gathering up wood chips. Got two 40 gallon contractor bags 1/2 full. 4th night at 12:45 a.m., we had intruders (thieves) park out on the road and walk into the camp area. Just so happened that one of our party was up walking his dog and caught them before they had time to do their thing.
LINDA S
Loop:Old Miner's Meadow Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
We have been coming here for 5 yrs and it is one of the best places for a large group to get together, Love it
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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Season dates

Peak season

Apr 30, 2027 – Oct 2, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Apr 28, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028

Reservable online

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